Spieth lost but golf has finally moved on from Tiger

Jordan Spieth will get over it but no one will never forget his Greg Norman on the back nine at Augusta. Like Jean van de Velde and so many others, “To Spieth” is now a verb.

It would have been better for golf and the PGA had Spieth closed out what until the final turn had been a historic first three-and-a-half days at Bobby Jones’ playground. But Spieth blew it and that is now a part of his resume; it will not be the end of Spieth’s career, nor will it relegate him down to the Hooter’s Tour.

Even if golf’s new star did not wear the green jacket again both the game and the PGA did have a successful development at The Master’s: We are over Tiger.

We are no longer waiting, or needing, for Tiger to be Tiger. We now all accept that he’s just a JAG - Just a Guy. He’s made too much money and he is no more a threat to catch Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles, even if Tiger says otherwise.

The last major title Tiger Woods won was the 2008 U.S. Open

It would have been better had that pursuit continued but it didn’t and that is (finally) OK. Tiger is 40 and he’s done. Tiger is content and we are finally content with that.

No sport in recent memory has had a more difficult time moving on from its favorite star than golf from Tiger Woods. Ever since his private life went into the dumper, the most powerful man in sports has never been the same. The PGA felt the full effects of the demise of Tiger Woods.

Golf enjoyed a growth spurt and unparalleled international visibility when Tiger was lapping the field. The PGA paid a steep price when he no longer was able to return to the absurd standard of excellence he set for himself, and for us. We were consumed with Tiger even when he wasn’t winning. Hell, we were consumed with Tiger when he wasn’t even playing.

Like all of the great ones before him in any sport, Tiger made dominating look laughably easy. Whether it’s Michael’s Bulls, Steph’s Warriors or Roger Federer’s racquet, we love watching dominance even if we don’t love the sport.

And watching a wonderful golfer like Spieth fall apart we are reminded that domination of the world’s best is exceptionally difficult and not for the meek.

Like so many predicted when Tiger was dominating, he elevated both the game and the players to be better. The good players caught him. The problem was we were not captivated it because we clung to what was rather than admiring what is.

From Rory to Spieth and so many others “what is” are a slew of great new players.

Tiger will come back and he will always be welcome but, finally, Tiger needs golf and the PGA more than they need him.